Scan barcode
shayemiller's review against another edition
4.0
Growing up in New York City, 6th grade Bryan knows what is “tight” for him, in a good way — no drama and reading about super heroes in his comics. He’s a pretty chill kid who has never been in a fight and is obviously very close to his mom. Nevertheless, when he bumps into the wrong kind of friends and finds himself constantly in compromising situations, that gets him “tight” in a whole different way — wound up and feeling crazy. Now he must juggle secrets, question his friendships, and confront an almost uncontrollable rage.
Tight will be an excellent path to discussing friendships, competition, parental relationships, and conflict resolution. There’s also a lot of dialogue about comic book heroes, which will resonate with a large number of middle grade and YA readers. NOTE: Super heroes are discussed at length. And if I recall correctly, there is also a discussion of someone pulling up Luke Cage on TV. I’ve not read any of the Luke Cage books, but I thought it worth mentioning that the recent Netflix version is intended for adult viewers, only. For more #kidlit, #mglit, and #yalit book reviews, please visit my blog: The Miller Memo.
Tight will be an excellent path to discussing friendships, competition, parental relationships, and conflict resolution. There’s also a lot of dialogue about comic book heroes, which will resonate with a large number of middle grade and YA readers. NOTE: Super heroes are discussed at length. And if I recall correctly, there is also a discussion of someone pulling up Luke Cage on TV. I’ve not read any of the Luke Cage books, but I thought it worth mentioning that the recent Netflix version is intended for adult viewers, only. For more #kidlit, #mglit, and #yalit book reviews, please visit my blog: The Miller Memo.
jackelz's review against another edition
4.0
Use your head. Make good choices. Have friends that lift you up instead of bring you down. I definitely recommend this book for middle school age children.
mycouscous's review
3.0
My 900th finished book on GoodReads! Huzzah!
I checked this out and listened to it in one day as I puttered around the house today. It's the sweet story of Bryan, a kid from NYC whose dad has been in and out of prison, who geeks out over comics, and who loves his mom so much he doesn't hesitate to hold her hand while walking down the street. Once he starts hanging out with a new friend, Bryan begins to feel the negative influence of his new pal and starts acting in ways he normally wouldn't. Author Maldonado tells this story with natural dialog and a balanced tone, never leaning too far into moral lectures so as to be didactic. But the reader will get a sense of Bryan's dilemma and why he struggles to clean up his act. I loved the supporting character Big Will, who exerts a positive, calming influence on the whole book. His demeanor sets a wonderful example of strength, especially as a fantastic juxtaposition against some tough-guy machismo.
I checked this out and listened to it in one day as I puttered around the house today. It's the sweet story of Bryan, a kid from NYC whose dad has been in and out of prison, who geeks out over comics, and who loves his mom so much he doesn't hesitate to hold her hand while walking down the street. Once he starts hanging out with a new friend, Bryan begins to feel the negative influence of his new pal and starts acting in ways he normally wouldn't. Author Maldonado tells this story with natural dialog and a balanced tone, never leaning too far into moral lectures so as to be didactic. But the reader will get a sense of Bryan's dilemma and why he struggles to clean up his act. I loved the supporting character Big Will, who exerts a positive, calming influence on the whole book. His demeanor sets a wonderful example of strength, especially as a fantastic juxtaposition against some tough-guy machismo.
thisgrrlreads's review
4.0
Bryan's family loves him--his mom has a good job, and keeps him safe. When he meets Mike, at dinner, at his house, he gets a brother he can be close to. Mike likes comics, Bryan likes comics. Bryan gets good grades, so does Mike. But Mike doesn't like to get good grades, he likes to skip school, and he isn't the best influence on Bryan. Bryan struggles to figure out what he wants, especially as he sees his dad do some things he shouldn't and get thrown back in prison...again.
This is a really nice story about growing up, and making friends and how to handle that, even if you are a boy and you want to be tough not soft. How do you handle all those different messages about defending yourself without ending up in a neighborhood wide beef? The answers are not easy but they are realistic--and they do take a lot of familial involvement.
Definitely a great read alike for The Stars Beneath Our Feet.
This is a really nice story about growing up, and making friends and how to handle that, even if you are a boy and you want to be tough not soft. How do you handle all those different messages about defending yourself without ending up in a neighborhood wide beef? The answers are not easy but they are realistic--and they do take a lot of familial involvement.
Definitely a great read alike for The Stars Beneath Our Feet.
inush's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
This is my first time reading a book by Torrey Maldonado and I can say right off the bat that I’d be more than willing to pick up another book by this author. I first came to know about “Tight” when I watched a webinar about books for young readers in which he was a panelist, and I can confirm that the author writes with the same dynamic energy as when he speaks. This story was short and impactful, well paced, and the characters practically jumped off the page. All of them are strong, realistic, and full of personality, which made it easier for me to visualize and immerse myself in the story. It’s a really important book that touches on topics of friendship, family, and knowing yourself. Bryan goes through so much character development, and although the ending seemed abrupt, I can understand why the author may have decided to leave what happens after the last chapter open for interpretation. It’s not really about the conclusion of the story, it’s more about Bryans decision to be a version of himself that he can be proud of. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone, but especially to young people who are struggling with peer pressure in their schools or home lives.
akruiz216's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
leaflibrary's review against another edition
4.0
This is not a book I could relate to, but it's one I appreciate. Bryan, the narrator, is a middle school boy trying to navigate masculinity and friendship in a culture that both esteems/expects and punishes the ability to stand up for oneself. He gets mixed messages from his dad, who's in and out of jail due to frequent fights. Luke Cage, the Marvel superhero, also sends conflicting messages of black manhood; Luke is a badass protector, stronger than his enemies, and, most importantly, doesn't feel pain. Yet when Bryan tries to channel him, he gets into trouble. And when he tries to lie low, avoiding drama, fights and false friendships are always on the edges of his interactions, threatening violence.
I can't imagine growing up in that tension, but I know there are many, including kids in my life, who are navigating similar paths. I'm grateful for this book for giving me a glimpse into what they deal with, and hopeful that this book can help them navigate it more safely.
I can't imagine growing up in that tension, but I know there are many, including kids in my life, who are navigating similar paths. I'm grateful for this book for giving me a glimpse into what they deal with, and hopeful that this book can help them navigate it more safely.
destdest's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent and relatable with a good message without being preachy. Real friends don’t put you down and talk you into reckless things. Peer pressure, anger issues, toxic masculinity/macho-ness (I guess? Bryan hates being called soft), and idolizing the wrong people are touched on expertly. Sometimes, the dialogue sounds the slightest bit cheesy, but I’m not super used to NYer-lingo.
I liked Bryan’s narrative. I understood his feelings and how badly he didn’t want to disappoint anyone. Yooo, that drama with Little Kev had my heart beating faster for real! I hate how Bryan never told his parents about the train-surfing and Little Kevin mess … But then again, most kids wouldn’t tell something that guarantees trouble with your parents and the police.
Of course, with a setting in New York, there’s some nice diversity: Bryan’s Puerto-Rican, Mike is black (AfrAm (?)), and adorable Kamau is Kenyan. There’s a whole cast of black and/or latino characters.
I definitely recommend this! This is geared toward kids, but some adults need to learn this lesson! Also, it's packed full of Marvel superhero facts/trivia.
I liked Bryan’s narrative. I understood his feelings and how badly he didn’t want to disappoint anyone. Yooo, that drama with Little Kev had my heart beating faster for real!
Of course, with a setting in New York, there’s some nice diversity: Bryan’s Puerto-Rican, Mike is black (AfrAm (?)), and adorable Kamau is Kenyan. There’s a whole cast of black and/or latino characters.
I definitely recommend this! This is geared toward kids, but some adults need to learn this lesson! Also, it's packed full of Marvel superhero facts/trivia.
mldavisreads's review against another edition
5.0
This book leaves me feeling the way I did after reading [b:Invisible Lines|6472184|Invisible Lines|Mary Amato|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1320503651s/6472184.jpg|6663309]-- like I was granted a moment of time in the life of the main character, and because of that I can take that insight back to my students. Bryan is a good kid, he has a close relationship with his family, keeps his grades up, and pretty much keeps to himself. When his parents encourage him to befriend Mike, Bryan does. At first he is excited about their shared interest in both drawing and reading comics. But little by little, Bryan doubts Mike's character. There's a lot of drama with Mike, and Bryan doesn't like it. But how does he follow his heart while following his parents' wish for him to be friends with Mike?
This story deals with friendship, family, and doing what is right because it's the right thing to do. It also deals with the pressure put on young men to defend themselves physically, and to be anything but "soft."
This story deals with friendship, family, and doing what is right because it's the right thing to do. It also deals with the pressure put on young men to defend themselves physically, and to be anything but "soft."